Cigarette package



Aug. 23, 1960 Filed Feb. 17, 1958 FIG. I. v

D. VON RUDEEN 2,950,060

CIGARETTE PACKAGE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 001/ V017 WWII/V A TTOR/VE YAug. 23, 1960 Filed Feb. 17, 1958 D. VON RUDEEN CIGARETTE PACKAGE 3Sheets-Sheet 2 4 r TORNEY Aug-23,1960 D. VON RUDEEN 1 I 2,950,060

' CIGARETTE PACKAGE v Filed Feb. 17, 1958 s Sheets -Sheet 3 v INVENTORwill,

A T TORNEY CIGARETTE PACKAGE Dolf von Rudeen, 5847 Graves Ave., Encino,Calif.

Filed Feb. 17, 1958, Ser. No. 715,547

2 Claims. (Cl. 229-44) This invention relates to an improved cigarettepackage; and, while being mainly applicable for such a purpose, may alsobe employed as a container for other items and in different and variousenvironments.

One of the important objects of this invention is to provide a device ofthe class described, wherein the contents of such a package can be madepractically immediately available for access and which, after eachoperation, will automatically return to its original closed state,thereby protecting the remainder of the items in the package fromexposure to air, light, dust or othe'r'foreign matter.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cigarette packageor the like which is made from a single blank properly scored, foldedand fastened, and which will accordingly be relatively inexpensive,while at the same time serving the purpose better than any or all of thepresent-day packages of this type.

Another and still further important object of the in tion is to providea cigarette package which is so constructed that the opening operationis quite easyand obvious and which, when closed, will remain semi-lockedfor intermediate protection of the cigarettes remaining therein.

Yet another object is to provide a cigarette package or similarcontainer which can be readily opened by the finger and thumb of onehand and which is so constructed that the necessary opening movementwillbe immediately apparent to anyone purchasing or using the package. v

Other and further .irnportantobjects of the invention will be apparentfrom the disclosures in the accompanying drawings and followingspecification. v V

The invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawings andhereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of"the'improved cigarette package orsimilar container of this invention showing the same in closed position.

Figure 2 is likewise a perspective view of the package, showing the sameas having been manually operated to open position.

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the plane of'the line 3-3 ofFigure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a section, parts being removed, on the line 44 of Figure 2,looking in the direction indicated.

Figure 5 is a partial section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section similar to that of the top portion of Figure 3,but showing one type of temporary locking or securing means for the lidportions.

Figure 7 is a section on the line 7--7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a view somewhat similar to that of Figure 7, but showing afurther modification of the locking means.

Figure 9 is a partial perspective view similar to Figatent Patented Aug.23, 1960 too ure 1, but illustrating a modified form of fingercontacting operating means.

Figure 10 is a section on the plane of the line 1010 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 4, but showing finger tabs or thelike similar to those of Figures 9 and 10, pressed inwardly to providegripping recesses.

Figure 12 is a plane view of the cut and scored blank from which theimproved cigarette package of this invention is constructed by foldingand gluing.

- Figure 13 illustrates the first step in folding the blank of Figure12.

Figure 14 is an elevation showing the preliminarily folded blank ofFigure 13.

Figure 15 is a view, parts being broken away, illustrating the secondstep in the folding operation.

Figure 16 is a side view of the preliminarily folded blank of Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a view showing the third step of the folding operation.

Figure 18 is a side view of the folded blank shown in Figure 17.

Figure 19 illustrates one of the last folding operations, wherein afinal package will next emerge.

Figure 20 is a side elevation of the semi-folded blank of Figure 19.

; ther wrapped or sealed when in this condition.

For convenience in identifying the top, bottom, side' andrelated-portions, the same will be numbered, as shown in Figure 12, andthe corresponding reference numerals will be accordingly hereinafterreferred to.

The two main portions of the package, 60 and 70, are joined by one sidepiece 72 and over-lapping side pieces 62 and 75 which are glued togetherin the final assembly. The bottom is closed by tucked-in, over-lappedand joined end pieces 63, 64, 73'and 74.

The top or closure is composed of two cooperating hinged cap-likesubstantially similar elements. These comprise essentially outerplate-like supports 40 and 50. The element 40terminates at its upper endin one half of 'a' top portion 101, the other half being indicated bythe reference numeral and which is bent downwardly over the outerportion 101. Side flaps or tabs 104 and 105 are integral with theportion 101, and these are bent downwardly and inwardly and then joinedby glue or the like to triangular sections 106 and 107, respectively.These triangular sections or tabs are integral with an intermediateclosure element 61 which is hingedly connected to the joined main boxportion 60 and also hingedly connected to the inside cap or closureelement 100.

Relatively the same construction is at the opposite face of the box orpackage, this comprising a main outer bendable plate 50 to which topportions 103 and 102 are attached by scored lines for hinged operation.The section 102 has end tabs and 111 which are bent inwardly and thenjoined by glue or the like to triangular securing elements 108 and 109,respectively.

These triangular tabs 108 and 109 are integral with an intermediate topsection 71, similar to its counter part 61 on the other face of the box.

The bendable outer plate portion 40 is integral with and separated by ascored line from a section 41 of a band-like element. This includes asimilar section 51 joined to the opposite outer plate-like element 50,and these two sections are joined by a shorter portion 43 which fitsover the side 72 of the finished box.

This band-like element 41-43-51 terminates in two 3 tabs 42 and 52which, when glued together, form a band which completely encircles thebox and is slidable up and down thereon.

The main eps n he. oldins d as m l ope on. are shown in Figures 13 to19, inclusive, Front an inspection of Figure 13, it will be noted thattheportions 4i and 50, with their joined end connecting tabs 41,

42, 43, 51, 52, 104 and 105, are bent rearwardly and downwardly, asshown in Figure 14 l Figure 15 shows an upward bending of the end tabs1%, 105, 110 and 111 of the now doubled-over elements 109 and 101, and192 and 103. These tabs 104, 105;, 110 and 111 are then joined by glueor the like to. the corresponding juxtaposed triangular tabs 106, 1 97,108 and 109, respectively, all as best shown in Figures 1-7 and 18.

Referring now to Figures 19 and 20, it will be noted that the sidepieces 62 and Z are now bent upwardly and along with the bottom pieces64 and 74 Thetab 63, whichv is joined to the side element 62, and thetab '73, which is joined to the side element 72, is also bent upwardly,and the assemblage, thus shaped, is then folded into a final box-formingrelationship with the side.

portions 62 and 75, glued together, as well as the end or bottomportions 64 and 74. When this is done, the

of the operator into the position shown in Figure 2 the,

top portion will automatically open, disclosing the contents andrendering access to the same very easy and convenient. When one of thecigarettes or other elements contained in the package has beenwithdrawn, .1 upward movement of the encircling, operating band willserve to effectively close the package in a very simple and convenientmanner. This may be assisted by a thumb and finger movement at the top.V

In Figures 5, 6 and 7, an auxiliary locking means is illustrated, thiscomprising a rib or protuberance 32 indented in the portion 100' of thetop or closure portion 103, and this, when the box is closed, willcooperatewith a corresponding indentation 334, in the top or closureelement 100, whereby a more secure semi-locking operation results. i i

In Figure 8, the longitudinal indentations 32 and 34. are shown asreplaced by dimples or circular protuberances 36 and 38, respectively. i

A further modification is illustrated in Figures 9 to 12, inclusive,wherein semi-circular, cut-away or struck-out portions 24 and 26 areprovided in the other side plates 40 and 50, respectively, for a moreready interfitting of the finger-tips or nails of the operator. As bestshown in Figure 11, the thus formed tabs can be left integral with therespective box portions and simply pressed inwardly to provide grippingrecesses or they may be cut away altogether, as preferred.

It will be evident that herein is provided a cigarette package orsimilar box which is very economical of construction, being composed ofa single blank which can be readily formed by an ordinary rule die orsimilar cutting and scoring process. Additionally, the blank can bereadily formed into a complete package, either manually or by relativelysimple automatic machine, and insertion of the contents also lendsitself to a simple mechanical operation.

The ease of opening the package appeals to customers and usersgenerally, and the inherent resiliency of the material from which thebox is formed will present an automatic closing operation. The box,being relatively cheap, can be disearded when the contents areexhausted, and while in use, Will prove very satisfactory to smokers ofcigarettes or users of any other articles which might be packaged anddistributed in such a container.

1 aware that many changes may be made and numerous details ofconstruction varied throughout a wide range without departing from theprinciples of this invention; and I, therefore, do not propose limitingthe patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the-pri ar Iclaim as my invention:

1 A ready opening box composed of a single blank, said blank being cutand scored to provide side, end and bottom portions, a pair ofsupplemental side portions and closure elements connecting the main andsupplemental side portions, the supplemental side portions including aband slidable on the exterior of the box, the closure elements beinghinged to the side portions and including joined, juxtaposed endsections cooperating with the end portions of the main body to provide acomplete box, the closure elements including integral semi-lockingelements which comprise longitudinal ridges.

2. A device as described in claim 1, wherein struckout tabs formingopenings are provided in the supplemental side sections for reception ofthe operators finger tips, the struck-out tabs which form the openingsbeing retained in the supplemental side portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS GreatBritain Ian. 19, 1933

